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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 21, 2018) - With summer fast approaching and vacation plans being made, Comptroller Peter Franchot will travel across the state this week ahead of Memorial Day – the unofficial start of summer – to promote Maryland tourism and highlight some of the family-friendly destinations from the mountains to the ocean and everything in between.

“As the state’s chief fiscal officer, I see the incredible impact that the tourism industry has on our economy and our revenues,” said Comptroller Franchot. “Maryland has so much to offer this summer, regardless of where you live. Families can visit the beach and charming bayside towns on the Eastern Shore, the idyllic mountains of Western Maryland and the historic museums and terrific attractions in Baltimore City – just to name a few destinations across our great state.”

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 14, 2018) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that agents from the Field Enforcement Division (FED) seized other tobacco products (OTP) and cited two Prince George’s County retail operations for selling untaxed products. A total of 18,408 sticks of OTP and 300 containers of (loose tobacco) OTP were confiscated with a value of $20,829 and representing a tax loss to the state of $13,608.

“This is the fourth major seizure my Field Enforcement Division agents have completed since April, and they will continue to keep Maryland’s citizens from being ripped off by those trying to cheat them,” said Comptroller Franchot.

In Maryland, a retailer can only lawfully possess and sell non-premium cigars purchased from a licensed Maryland wholesaler of OTP. Retailers must possess invoices for all OTP inventory indicating that the Maryland excise tax had been paid to the state by the wholesaler.

So far for fiscal year 2018, which started July 1, 2017, FED agents have arrested and charged 150 individuals for various tobacco violations as a result of discovering 139 instances of violations of Maryland’s tobacco laws. These arrests have resulted in the seizure of 169,314 packs of contraband cigarettes and the seizure of 463,153 sticks of untaxed OTP. The seized items are valued at $1,571,785.40 and representing a tax loss to the state of $735,585.60.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 8, 2018) - Comptroller Peter Franchot and agency staff will demonstrate a particular set of skills this summer and fall at local fairs and festivals to help reunite Marylanders find their “Taken” Unclaimed Property, which includes abandoned bank accounts, security deposits, insurance benefits and items in safe deposit boxes.

“If I find your unclaimed property now, that will be the end of it,” Comptroller Franchot says in his latest Unclaimed Property video based on the 2008 movie starring Liam Neeson. “If you don’t claim it, I’ll keep looking for you. I will find you. And I will return your money and your property to you.”

Last summer, 3,770 people at fairs and festivals throughout the state checked out the agency’s Unclaimed Property booth looking for their property on the annually published list. Of that total, 567 people discovered and received more than $470,000 in unclaimed funds. One Baltimore County resident attending the Maryland State Fair found $71,517.

This year’s Unclaimed Property inserts, which is running in more than 30 newspapers across the state, lists 79,110 accounts worth more than $62 million. Individuals and businesses can also search the online Unclaimed Property database.

Taking a creative approach to raising awareness about the Unclaimed Property program, Comptroller Franchot has appeared as “The Franchot Zone,” “Sheriff Franchot,” “Sherlock Franchot and “The Most Interesting Man in Maryland.” This year’s cover features him from the movie “Taken.”

Financial institutions, insurance companies and corporations are required by law to notify the Comptroller’s Office of any property that has gone unclaimed, or without activity, for more than three years. Once reported to the agency, staff works to locate the rightful owners to match them with their property. Funds are available to be claimed at any time, with no statute of limitations.

In Fiscal Year 2017, the Comptroller’s Office honored nearly 52,719 claims totaling more than $76 million. Since 2007, the Comptroller’s Office has returned more than $661 million in Unclaimed Property.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 8, 2018) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that agents from the Field Enforcement Division (FED) seized untaxed other tobacco products (OTP) and cited six retail operations in Baltimore and two in Prince George’s County in late April through early May. A total of 18,183 untaxed sticks of OTP were confiscated with a value of $18,183 and representing a tax loss of $12,847.

“The work my Field Enforcement Division agents and inspectors do each and every day helps to keep Maryland’s citizens from being ripped off by those trying to cheat them,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said.

In Maryland, a retailer can only lawfully possess and sell non-premium cigars purchased from a licensed Maryland wholesaler of OTP. Retailers must possess invoices for all OTP inventory indicating that the Maryland excise tax had been paid to the state by the wholesaler.

So far for fiscal year 2018, which started July 1, 2017, FED agents have arrested and charged 148 individuals for various tobacco violations as a result of discovering 137 instances of violations of Maryland’s tobacco laws. These arrests have resulted in the seizure of 169,314 packs of contraband cigarettes and the seizure of 448,053 sticks of untaxed OTP. The seized items are valued at $1,550,956.40 and representing a tax loss to the state of $720,877.40.

The driver, Jermaine Shabazz Grant, 44, of Takoma Park, was arrested and charged with a felony count of transporting unstamped cigarettes and a misdemeanor count of possession of unstamped cigarettes.

Agents seized 12,370 packs of unstamped cigarettes and the vehicle used in transportation. The seized cigarettes are valued at $79,786.50 and represent a tax loss to the state of $24,740.

Grant posted a $3,000 unsecured bond and was released on Thursday.

To date for fiscal year 2018, which started July, 1, 2017, FED agents have arrested and charged 148 individuals for various tobacco violations as a result of discovering 137 instances of violations of Maryland’s tobacco laws. These arrests have resulted in the seizure of 169,314 packs of contraband cigarettes and the seizure of 448,053 sticks of Untaxed Other Tobacco Products (OTP). The seized items are valued at $1,550,956.40 and represents a tax loss to the State of Maryland $720,877.40.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 1, 2018) - Do you think your property has been Taken? Comptroller Peter Franchot is continuing his quest to reunite Marylanders with their unclaimed property. He knows who you are. He knows what you want. He doesn’t have money for everyone, but he will return property to those who do.

“I have a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a dream for people like you,” Comptroller Franchot says in his latest Unclaimed Property video based on the 2008 movie starring Liam Neeson.

This year’s Unclaimed Property inserts, which will run in more than 30 newspapers across the state, lists 79,110 accounts worth more than $62 million. Individuals and businesses can also search the online Unclaimed Property database. Comptroller Franchot made this vow:

“If I find your unclaimed property now, that will be the end of it. If you don’t claim it, I’ll keep looking for you. I will find you. And I will return your money and your property to you.”

In fiscal year 2017, the Comptroller’s Office honored nearly 52,719 claimed totaling more than $76 million. Since 2007, the Comptroller’s Office has returned more than $661 million in unclaimed property to the proper owners.

The Unclaimed Property list is full of possessions and financial payoffs that banks, insurance companies and financial institutions were unable to return to the rightful owners. Any of the goods not claimed by their owners eventually go to the State.

The Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property division will help you to find the items among the old bank accounts, stocks and bonds, jewelry and other contents of safe deposit boxes. The belongings of value – be they monetary, sentimental or a little of both – will be returned to their rightful claimants.

The Comptroller appears on the cover of the 192-page insert that will begin appearing in some newspapers today. The annual Unclaimed Property video is a complementary effort to draw attention to the campaign. In previous years, Comptroller Franchot appeared as “The Franchot Zone,” “Sheriff Franchot,” “Sherlock Franchot” and “The Most Interesting Man in Maryland.”

Along with the Unclaimed Property list, which is published annually as required by law, the Comptroller’s Office searches tax records and Motor Vehicle Administration files to try and locate property owners. The agency also has a booth at the Maryland State Fair and other events throughout the year to allow people to check the Unclaimed Property database.

Financial institutions, insurance companies and corporations are required to notify the Comptroller’s Office of any property that has gone unclaimed or without activity for more than three years. This is usually wages, bank accounts, stocks or dividends, life insurance policies or from safe deposit boxes. When the Comptroller’s Office receives property that isn’t monetary, as required by state law, the items are appraised and then auctioned off on eBay. The proceeds are held for the owner in perpetuity. Funds are available to be claimed at any time with no statute of limitations, and are not subject to taxes.

Franchot urges anyone who finds their name on the list to contact his office at 410-767-1700 (Central Maryland) or toll-free at 1-800-782-7383, to find out how to reclaim their lost property.

In total, the agency has more than 1.3 million accounts worth more than $1.6 billion in its Unclaimed Property accounts.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 23, 2018) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that agents from his Field Enforcement Division (FED) assisted in a traffic stop and conducted investigations of three retail stores resulting in the confiscation of nearly $60,000 worth of tobacco products.

At 1 p.m. on April 18, FED agents assisted Master Trooper C.W. Miller stopped a 2017 Dodge Caravan registered in Missouri for a traffic violation on Interstate 81 just south of Exit 9 in Hagerstown. Agents seized 7,700 packs of unstamped cigarettes as well as the van. The seized cigarettes are valued at $49,655, representing a tax loss to state of $15,400.

The driver, Jesuel Mariano Paulino, 23, of High Point, NC, faces a felony charge of transporting unstamped cigarettes and a misdemeanor charge of possession of unstamped cigarettes. He was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

“I again applaud the round-the-clock efforts of the Maryland State Police and my FED officers for stopping cigarette smugglers who are trying to cheat Maryland and its citizens,” Comptroller Franchot said.

On April 17 and 18, FED agents and inspectors seized untaxed other tobacco products (OTP) valued at a total of more than $8,985 during separate inspections at stores in Prince George’s and Baltimore counties as well as Baltimore City.

Three men face a criminal citation of willful possession, sale or offer to sell untaxed tobacco products. They are:

Retailers must possess invoices for all OTP inventory indicating that the Maryland excise tax had been paid to the state by the wholesaler.

To date in fiscal year 2018, which began on July, 1, 2017, FED Agents have arrested and charged 135 individuals for various tobacco violations as a result of discovering 126 instances of violations of Maryland’s tobacco laws. These arrests have resulted in the seizure of 156,817 packs of contraband cigarettes and the seizure of 429,546 sticks of OTP. The seized items are valued at $1,469,474.84 and represents a $688,888.63 tax loss to the State of Maryland.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 18, 2018) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that agents from his Field Enforcement Division (FED) have assisted in a traffic stop and conducted investigations of two retail stores resulting in the confiscation of tobacco products valued at nearly $75,000.

At 11:10 p.m. on April 11, FED agents assisted MSP Sgt. Mike Conner who stopped a 2014 Dodge Ram pick-up truck registered in North Carolina on northbound I-95 at Northeast Road in Northeast, Cecil County. Agents seized 10,770 packs of unstamped cigarettes and the truck. The seized cigarettes are valued at $69,466.50, representing a tax loss to state of $21,540.

The driver Nely M. Rodriguez-Marte, 45, of Bronx, NY, and her son, Jose Luis, Galabert-Rodriguez, 21, also of the Bronx, were arrested and taken before a court commissioner. Each faces a felony charge of transporting unstamped cigarettes and a misdemeanor charge of possession of unstamped cigarettes. Rodriguez-Marte was released on $350 cash bond and Galabert-Rodriguez was released on $150 cash bond.

“I appreciate the efforts of the Maryland State Police and my FED officers in stopping these kinds of cigarette smugglers trying to cheat Maryland and its citizens,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Combatting the flow of illegal cigarettes in our state is a 24/7 job and I thank the officers who do it.”

On April 13, FED agents and inspectors seized untaxed other tobacco products (OTP) of non-premium and a small quantity of premium cigars, valued at a total of more than $5,500, during separate inspections at stores in Baltimore City and Baltimore County

Each store’s owner faces a criminal citation of willful possession, sale or offer to sell untaxed tobacco products. They are:

Retailers must possess invoices for all OTP inventory indicating that the Maryland excise tax had been paid to the state by the wholesaler.

To date in fiscal year 2018, which started July, 1, 2017, FED Agents have arrested and charged 130 individuals for various tobacco violations as a result of discovering 122 instances of violations of Maryland’s tobacco laws. These arrests have resulted in the seizure of 149,117 packs of contraband cigarettes and the seizure of 420,607 sticks of OTP. The seized items are valued at $1,391,069.34 and represents a tax loss to the State of Maryland $661,091.33.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 18, 2018) – Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today that the filing deadline for 2017 tax returns has been extended 24 hours through midnight tonight, April 18. This is in response to the outage of the IRS’ online tax processing and payment platform yesterday.

The IRS encountered issues Tuesday morning with its online system. Taxpayers using paper to file and pay their taxes at the deadline were not affected by the system issue.

“Maryland taxpayers who were affected by the IRS’ website outage yesterday can rest assured that you have another day to file your taxes, as they needed federal tax return information to file their Maryland tax return in our system,” said Franchot. “Taxpayers can continue to use our iFile system without disruption.”

Taxpayers are encouraged to file their returns electronically on marylandtaxes.govfor the fastest possible processing and to ensure they receive all possible refunds. Free state tax assistance is available at all of the agency’s 12 taxpayer service offices Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A list of office locations can be found here.

For more information on any tax-related matter, please visit marylandtaxes.govor call 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) or 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 13, 2018) - Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today that his office has stopped processing electronic tax returns from 20 more tax preparers at 20 locations in Maryland, Virginia and Georgia. The immediate suspensions were due to a high volume of questionable returns received. This adds to the list of 54 preparers previously flagged since the 2018 tax season began in January. The complete list of previously blocked preparers is listed below.

“Even as we approach the end of the 2018 tax season, protecting taxpayers from unscrupulous tax preparers and ensuring fraudulent refunds are not paid out is a year-round job for my dedicated staff,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Our Questionable Return Detection Team monitors tax filings and searches for preparers who submit false returns in an attempt to fraudulently get money.”

The businesses were sent written notice of the action after they were identified by the Comptroller’s nationally recognized fraud unit using state-of-the-art technology that detects suspicious returns. The agency has a review process that provides an opportunity for blocked preparers to have their filing privileges restored.

The tax preparers and locations blocked from filing returns through this action are:

In 2016 and 2017, the Comptroller’s Office blocked suspicious tax returns at 95 tax preparation businesses in 113 locations. Since taking office in 2007, the Comptroller’s team has identified and blocked more than 88,000 fraudulent returns and intercepted and denied $190.2 million worth of fraudulent refunds.

If taxpayers suspect fraud, they are asked to immediately report the issue to the Comptroller’s Office by calling 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) or 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or by emailing taxhelp@comp.state.md.us.

Below is a list of the tax preparers the Comptroller’s Office has blocked previously:

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